The Socialization Process
Socialization is a fundamental process by which your puppy or dog is trained to correctly behave in any given situation. Through socialization, most dog behavior problems can not only be prevented, but also properly corrected. There is great satisfaction in having a dog that has been properly trained and socialized. These dogs are friendly, well mannered, and should get along well with people, other dogs, and other animals. Dogs that are not socialized, on the other hand, may develop behaviors that cannot be easily controlled. They may not be able to be given open access to the house or be taken out for walks without pulling you or constantly barking. The earlier you begin socializing your dog, the easier the process will be. Most experts believe that socialization should begin when your puppy is about twelve weeks old.

When socializing your dog, it is very important to keep certain things in mind. First, you must make every attempt to make your dog’s socialization process as pleasant as possible. When training your puppy, and especially when introducing him to new situations, it is important for the event to be a good one. This sort of first hand knowledge of situations will help your puppy develop a notion of his surroundings. When the experience is good, your dog’s impression of it will be good as well. However, if the experience is an unpleasant or painful one, it is very likely that your dog will seek to avoid it later in the future.

Read more about how to train your puppy.